NORM Management Process Cycle

average Management Process CycleNaturally Occurring hot Material ( norm) at ADNCO, Management Procedure and appreciatementsAhmed AL AzeeziContentsIntroductionLiterature reviewMethodologyFindingsConclusion and Recommendation discover 1 incursion power of ionizing beam of lightFigure 2 NORM painting routesFigure 3 NORM Management Process Cycle, enhanced (more details) chartFigure 4 Norm Program strategyFigure 5900 series mini monitor probe type 44A board 1 Units of light beam sickness and shaft Levels plug-in 2 Types of RadiationTable 3 NORM Area Classification for Non-Classified workersIntroductionNowadays, Oil GAS perseverance is having a lot on challenges because of the complexness of this industry and the interaction with the other aspects such as the earth cosmic properties. However, one of the most important aspect for the rock oil gas is Naturally Occurring radioactive Material (NORM). These materials argon having a negative effect on the humane frame and the envi ronment which required to have a strict procedure to check over such materials in production of the oil until handing these the concentered NORMs during the transportation from one battery-acid to another.In this report, I will be covering the definition of the NORMs and how it can be discover on the process side with a real measurement example. Also, if these materials argon present, how can we mitigate these effect of film to the radioactive materials? According of the ADNCO economy of practice (COPV2-09).Literature reviewNORMs are covering all the congenitally occurring radionuclides and presenting at different concentrations in the earth crust. Moreover, these materials can be enhanced in the concentration due to the process hookup which is associated with the recovery of oil and gas such as separators reflux pumps. This enhancement process of NORMs called TENORM (Technologically-Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials). The sludge, yell scales and drilling m ud are an examples of materials which can contained the elevated levels of NORMs.There are two main types of NORM contamination at Oil GAS industry which are Radium and Radon (Rn-222) contaminations. The Radium is existing in water and low specific activity scale. Moreover, the radon is usually free-base on natural gas production wells.Furthermore, there are two systems of measuring of radioactivity and radiation levels, which are international system (SI) and the traditional US unites with its conversion factors mingled with them as shown in the below tableApplicationSI unitsUS units-Old systemConversion FactorsRadioactivityBecquerel (Bq)Picocuire (pCi)1Bq=27pCiConcentrationBecquerel/Gram (Bq/g)Picocurie/gram (pCi/g)1Bq/g=27pCi/gSurface ActivityBq/100 cm2Disintegrations per minute/ 100cm2 (dpm/100cm2 )1Bq/100cm2= 60dpm/100cm2ExposureCoulomb/kilogram (C/Kg)Roentgen (R)1C/KG= 3876R loony toons EquivalentSievert (Sv)Rem1sev=100RemTable 1 Units of Radioactivity and Radiation Levels NORM can be divided in three types of radiation as shown belowRadiation typesDefinitionHealth HazardsControlsAlpha Particles ()-Ra-226-U-238-Po-210-Pb-210Radiation is made up of heavy, charged penetrate that cannot penetrate very fare, even in airInternal wellness hazards through inhalation, ingestion and absorption exposure routesskinBeta particles()-Ran-228-Pb-210-Bi-210Radiation consists of lighter charged particles than alpha particles that travel faster and are thus more penetrating than alpha radiation.Internal health hazards through inhalation, ingestion and absorption exposure routesShielded by thin layer of metal or plasticGamma rays (Y)-Ra-226-Pb-210Radiation consists of high zip rays and is very penetratingExternal health hazard to human bodiesShielded by thick layers of led or other dense materials including meter of concrete or several meters of water.Table 2 Types of RadiationFigure 1 Penetration power of ionizing radiationOn the other hand, the health effect of these NORMs are vary with four factors which areTotal amount of energy absorbedExposure durationDose rateParticular organ exposed.The exposure to the NORM is not comparable with the man-made sources such as the X-Ray. A chronic exposure to these NORM without using any PPE (personal protection equipment) which is adequate to the existing radiation increases the likelihood of gaining cancer. During oil gas processing stage, the TENORM will be accumulated on two different forms as shown belowNORM in ordered seriesRadium, one of the naturally occurring nuclides in the uranium decay series co-precipitates with strontium, barium or calcium as sulphates or carbonates and deposit on the internal surfaces of the oil and gas facilities. The formation of the scales eventually effects the integrity of the equipment, vessels and pipelines and consequentially reduces the capacity of the process facility.NORM in Sludge and ScrapingsRadionuclides, mainly radium are found in sludge, produced sand and p roduced water. Other nuclides such as lead 210 and polonium 210 can also be found in pipeline scrapings and the sludge accumulation in lower level of the tank of gas oil separators, dehydration vessels and pipeline scrapings.Figure 2 illustrate the NORM exposure routes to the human body as shown below.Figure 2 NORM exposure routesReferring to ADNOC COPV2-09, the NORM management process cycle has been developed and illustrated as shown below chartFigure 3 NORM Management Process Cycle, enhanced (more details) chartThe NORM management process cycle is giving a workflow how can we handle these materials if it is detected on the Oil Gas process, which basically is having an actions and controls to eliminate the effect of these radioactive to the workers, public and the environment and make it As Low As Reasonably accomplishable (ALARA). Thus, before implementing the management process cycle, NORM Management Strategy was establish to make the process cycle more effective and it is con sist of five keys electron orbit as follow NORM Survey and MonitoringWorkers protection and TrainingControl of NORM contaminated equipmentControl of NORM WasteDevelopment of NORM Management procedure.Figure 4 Norm Program strategyFor any newly finished oil / gas producer well, the initial (baseline) survey shall be conducted for NORM and if the result is positive more controls and actions shall be implemented through the NORM management process cycle. Radiation Protection officer (RPO) shall be aware and having adequate competency to locate assess the radioactive on-site.The normal duties of workers dont include exposure to NORM radiation. They are considered as members of the public. The ADNOC limit on effective dose received by any employee, shall be not exceeding the 50mSv in any single year during with a 100mSv over the 5 years. Otherwise, the worker with more dose than 50mSv/year shall be consider as classified radiation workers. Those workers shall have a periodic medical s urveillance in order to insure the fitness and health.Moreover, the location/equipment can be classified in to three zones depending on the dosing values as shown below tableDose (Sv/Hr)DefinitionRequirementsUnrestricted Area-Normal Work Permits-Basic Approved PPE-Good Hygiene0.5 1.5NORM supervised Area-Work to be supervised by PRO-Use NORM applicable PPE(according to standard EN 149 FFP3)-Control public access by PRO-Demarcation with archetype NORM sign-Train workers-Monitor NORM levels before and after work completion-inform HSE focal points-Permit to work required1.5 4.5NORM Controlled Area (restricted)-Stop the work-inform line manager and PRO for further instruction-Control worker access b PRO-Demarcation with warning NORM sign-if dose rate exceed 4.5Sv/hr, workers exposure must be controlled below the annual exposure of doe rate of 20 Sv.Table 3 NORM Area Classification for Non-Classified workersMethodologyHence, the NORM measurement can done through two types, either by fi eld or laboratory measurements and both of have its own requirements and conditions. However, in this report, the field measurement will be carrying for a gamma radiation in different locations. So, the mover was used for this measurement is the 900 series mini monitor probe type 44A in counts per seconds- rhythm. This meter is a very sensitive gamma rays and it is detecting the radiation as a number not level concentration. The methodology of the survey as presented below stepsCarry out initial survey beyond the site boundary to measure background radiation levels in cps using contamination meter as mention in a higher place.Hold the probe nasty to the surface to be surveyed, moving slowly over the area noting any response from the contamination meter and compare the background levels.If the measured radiation levels are found twice the back ground levels, measure dose-rate (Sv/h) at a distance of 1 meter from the contaminated equipment using the dose rate mete.Measure NORM at d ifferent positions of potential NORM contaminated equipment at three different heights and average of the three readings at each height.When analyze cylindrical shape, the inside of the pipe should always be checked by placing the probe a few centimeters inside each end and record the results.Figure 5900 series mini monitor probe type 44AFindingsThe process of measuring the NORM was done by a expert third society (M/s Aberdeen Radiation Protection Services) in different locations at upstream of the oil and gas well producer, but the below table is showing nevertheless the risky data which required to have a more outline on the amount of the gamma radiation emitted at these points.Area 1 full treatment No1LocationValue of measurementProduced water pump pipe work.100 cps Max.External surface of empty storage tank30 cpsInside this tank adjacent to manhole entrance200 cpsExternal surface of base of cartridge extractor V0311200-300 cpsExternal surface of base of Separator V0312140 cp sOpen drain Grill30 cpsArea 1, 12 well inlet at manifoldBackground reading, No radiationExternal surface test separator110 cpsAll the reading are in counts per second and most of them are above 100 counts which is reflecting that it is required to have more analysis by using external dose rate meter to know the exact concentration and exposure dose to surrounding which can be emitted. Moreover, the laboratory measurement shall be one of the option to have more details by using the radiometric analysis device.Conclusion and RecommendationTo sum up, the naturally occurring radioactive material are associated with oil and gas industry which shall be controlled in order to reduce the negative effect on the workers, public environment. The process of evaluating the NORM (specially the baseline) is very critical and it can be led to catastrophe condition if the outcomes are not reflecting the echt situations. This finding of Gamma rays in our case are indicating there is an industrial h ygiene issue to the worker which required to have more control on the PPE and exposure duration. However, these reading are located mostly on oil separation side (upstream), however, the downstream, gas processing industry is very important point to be assessed which was missed during the third party assessment at upstream feed. In order to reduce the amount of exposure, the worker shall be following the ADNOC COPV2-09 as a guidelines such as monitoring, workers protection requirements and transport of NORM contaminated equipment.Moreover, the Gamma elements will be moving from the upstream to downstream which will be reaching the gas processing units. So, it is recommended to have regular inspection for the radioactive materials specially the glycol unit will observed most of the moisture on the process which can be containing the radiation elements.ReferenceHeath Safety and Environmental Management Manual Of Codes of Practice, Volume 2 Environmental protection, ADNCO-COPV2-09Guide line on management of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM).CRP-HSE-10-39, ADCO NORM Management Procedure